NY Mets are one win away from playoff spot as Monday doubleheader trip to Atlanta looms

MILWAUKEE — The champagne is on ice for the Mets, but it is going to take slaying one final demon to pop the bottles open.

The Mets reduced their magic number to one on Sunday as they fired their offense back up, received a sterling outing from David Peterson and dropped the Brewers, 5-0, in front of 33,754 fans at American Family Field.

It was a result that the Mets badly needed, and the good vibes returned after three straight losses. The climb to the postseason, however, won't get any easier.

METS' PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: How they can clinch in Monday's doubleheader vs. Braves

The Mets must travel back south to Atlanta to face the Braves in a doubleheader on Monday beginning at 1:10 p.m. It's a journey the Mets are willing to take, with one win over their National League East rivals clinching a playoff spot.

"It's just one of those things where everybody knows what's at stake, but I think the best teams know how to control those emotions in those situations," J.D. Martinez said. "That's something we're going to have to do especially if we want to get in and go deep in this thing."

As the Mets put the finishing touches on their victory on Sunday, the Mets fan contingent let out chants of "Beat the Braves." The Mets have clawed back from as many as 11 games under .500 and now have two cracks to punch their ticket.

"I'd sign up for that any day, especially with the way we started the year," Carlos Mendoza said. "Before the year, nobody expected us to be in in this position and here we are with a chance to do something special and that's what we'll do."

Tylor Megill will reportedly start Game 1 for the Mets against the Bravers' Spencer Schwellenbach, with Luis Severino looming as an option to start Game 2.

Francisco Lindor, J.D. Martinez offer encouraging signs

One night after only collecting two hits in a shutout loss, the Mets offense released some pressure in the early going.

Francisco Lindor, who was making his third appearance since returning from eight games away with back discomfort, drew a leadoff walk and stole second base. Then, the Mets shortstop slid headfirst into home on an RBI bloop single from Brandon Nimmo.

Despite being slow to get up, Lindor, who continues to play through waves of pain, had his best game since his return. He knocked an RBI single in the fourth inning and belted his 32nd home run — a solo shot — to right field in the sixth inning to move the Mets ahead 5-0.

"I felt the same way the first day I played. I'm in a good spot," Lindor said.

Now, the major question is whether Lindor will be able to take on 18 innings on Monday, if necessary.

"To dive headfirst at second base and then he scores and he's diving headfirst. I'm like, 'All right,'" Mendoza said. "Then for him to go deep, making the plays, running around the bases, letting it loose from the left side — positive signs."

J.D. Martinez also got off his own schneid in the top of the fourth inning when he belted a leadoff double, snapping a career-long 0-for-36 stretch. Martinez later scored the Mets' second run. He also added a single in the top of the eighth.

Alvarez, who exited Friday with back spasms, added two hits and two RBI.

Before the game, Mendoza offered further support of Martinez in the most critical part of the season, leaning on Martinez's track record in big games. Martinez delivered on his manager's confidence on Sunday.

"You could feel in the dugout and how the guys were on the top step there right behind him," Mendoza said. "He's an elite hitter and this is the time for them to step up, and he did it today."

David Peterson provides critical length, quality start

With two games on Monday and a potential playoff game on Tuesday, there was no bigger time than Sunday for Peterson to bounce back and ease the burden of the bullpen.

After a bumpy opening inning, the 28-year-old left-hander delivered an encouraging result heading into Monday's doubleheader.

Peterson gave up an infield single to Jackson Chourio in the opening inning before the Brewers put runners on the corners with a walk and a fielder's choice. But Peterson got Eric Haase to wave at a slider for the final out of the inning.

From there, Peterson was nearly unhittable. He only walked two batters across the next six innings, finishing seven scoreless innings with one hit, three walks and eight strikeouts.

"For him to go out there in a must-win for us today, I thought the way he controlled the game, his tempo, I don't think there was any type of pressure," Mendoz said. "He was calm, he was under control and he kept making pitches. It's a good sign because he's one of the guys."

Peterson's lengthy outing allowed Mendoza to use only two relievers heading into Monday's doubleheader where it will be all hands on deck.

Mendoza deployed Phil Maton, who allowed a pair of singles but got out of the jam with a deep fly ball to left. Then Edwin Diaz pitched for the first time in a week, tossing a scoreless ninth inning with three strikeouts and one walk.

"For us, it was about coming out with a bunch of energy and competing and giving it everything we had," Peterson said. "I'm just very proud of the group and the way we came out today and got the job done."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets are one win away from playoff spot as Monday doubleheader trip to Atlanta looms